Bangladesh prime minister resigns as Army takes over

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh resigned on Monday after a 15-year tenure.

This decision came amid widespread protests, where thousands of demonstrators defied a military curfew and stormed her official residence.

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Following her resignation, local media reported that Hasina was seen boarding a military helicopter with her sister.

In response, Bangladesh’s military chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman, announced that he would seek guidance from the president on forming an interim government.

He assured the public that the military would cease its operations and pledged to investigate the violent crackdowns that have caused public outrage.

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The protests, initially led by students demanding the abolition of a quota system for government jobs, evolved into a broader uprising against Hasina’s administration.

The government’s attempts to suppress the protests with force resulted in nearly 300 fatalities, further intensifying calls for her resignation.

In recent clashes in the capital, 95 people, including 14 police officers, were reported dead, with hundreds more injured.

Over 11,000 people have been arrested in connection with the unrest, leading to the closure of schools and universities. Authorities even imposed a shoot-on-sight curfew at one point.

During the weekend, protest leaders called for a “non-cooperation” movement, urging citizens to withhold taxes and utility payments and to stay away from work, though many offices and factories remained open despite commuter challenges.

Despite Hasina’s offer to negotiate with student leaders, their demand for her resignation remained firm.

In an effort to control the situation, the government restricted internet access twice, leading to brief blackouts of broadband and mobile services.

Sheikh Hasina, who was re-elected for a fourth term in January amidst accusations of electoral malpractice, is Bangladesh’s longest-serving leader.

Critics have accused her of authoritarian tendencies, attributing the current unrest to her alleged autocratic rule.